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Oman was shocked on Monday night when gunfire rang out inside a packed Shia mosque. Oman is a quiet country with well-trained security forces, a non-interventionist state policy and little history of sectarian violence. However, its diverse social fabric did not help when three Omani citizens became “suicide bombers” shooting at worshippers and actively resisting security agents.
The radical Islamic State quickly claimed responsibility for the attack in what can only be described as a grandiose ploy to show off its strength and recruit in the Sudan. Over the years, the extremist group has repeatedly orchestrated violent attacks around the world, targeting innocent civilians and sowing chaos by alerting countries to their presence.
The attack on a Russian concert hall in March and a series of suicide bombings in Iran in January highlighted that despite being defeated in Iraq and Syria years ago, the Islamic State still craves its reign of terror. According to US statistics, their attacks have doubled from last year, suggesting that they are far from finished and are still trying to show their followers their resilience. The Doomsday Caliphate may not have won, but its ultra-radical vision remains.
ISIS has shown particular disdain for Shia Muslims, whom it considers infidels, and has targeted Shia mosques and communities in an attempt to sow discord and division among Muslims. Their ability to inspire and mobilize followers, even in relatively peaceful countries and off their initial radar, is worrisome and highlights the need for continued vigilance and collaboration in the fight against extremism.
As for Oman, this attack has sent shockwaves through local communities, threatening the delicate balance of coexistence that has existed for centuries. We can only hope that the government will see this attack as a wake-up call and use all its resources to promote tolerance for extremism while building a coordinated response against such groups and their recruiters.*
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